US Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter Seeking Nominations for 10th Anniversary Gala Awards

The U.S. Green Building Council New Jersey Chapter (USGBC-NJ) is seeking applicants for their 10th Anniversary Gala Awards. The nomination period is open until August 10th. (The Student Award deadline is not until Sept. 21.) USGBC-NJ recognizes and presents these awards to companies and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in green building and sustainability at the Chapter’s Annual Gala. The winning applicants will be honored at this year’s Gala & Awards Dinner on October 11, 2012, at the new Revel in Atlantic City. There are five award categories: community; green team; green ground breaking; municipal/ public-private sector; and student. See below for more information.

“This is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of the individuals and organizations who have made special strides in green building and sustainability in our State,” said Florence Block, USGBC-NJ Executive Director. “This is the spirit in which USGBC-NJ was founded – a spirit of innovation and excellence.”

This year, BASF Corporation and the Rockefeller Group will receive special recognition for their commitment to sustainability with their recently completed project in Florham Park, NJ – BASF’s North American headquarters which is expected to receive LEED® Double Platinum certification* (Design Architect – Kohn Pedersen Fox; Architect of Record – Rotwein and Blake). Only four reported projects in the US have earned multiple LEED Platinum certifications in one building. The BASF HQ in Florham Park is the first LEED Double Platinum – designated facility in New Jersey, and the largest LEED Platinum corporate project in the state.

A. Community Award: This award is given to a non-profit organization that has had a profound impact on expanding the horizons of green building through exemplary programs in community service, education, social equity, policy work or other aspects of developing sustainable communities.

B. Green Team Award: Recognizes a green building and project team whose vision and practices illustrate the best in green building. The team’s work reflects the creativity, collaboration, and integrated processes that embody the essence of going “beyond LEED”.

C. Green Ground Breaking Award: An individual, organization or company that is on the cutting-edge of sustainability and green building, and has created something that truly pushes the envelope to broaden the horizons of green.

D. Municipal or Public-Private sector: Recognizes a municipality or public-private sector partnership that demonstrates leadership and innovation in green building practices on a community-wide basis.

E. Student Award: Middle through High School Students in public or private schools. A student (or team of students) involved in a project that satisfies one or more of the award Criteria in the 2011-2012 school year and can successfully demonstrate that the outcomes/results of the project have made a positive impact on the environment.

(The Student Award has a separate application deadline: September 21, 2012. Please see Student Award Criteria on our website for more information.)

*LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a trademark of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Platinum certification is the highest achievement attainable through the LEED green building certification program which encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through a suite of rating systems that recognize projects that implement strategies for better environmental and health performance. BASF is seeking Platinum certification in two phases: one for Core & Shell and another for Commercial Interiors.

About the U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL

USGBC is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit group formed in 1993. New Jersey membership exceeds 1400 Corporations inclusive of USGBC National and the USGBC New Jersey Chapter. There are over 3,000 LEED® accredited professionals in NJ and over 400 LEED® registered and 100 certified projects in New Jersey, plus over 900 certified LEED Homes.

More About the U.S. Green Building Council – New Jersey Chapter

USGBC-NJ is a non-profit organization focused solely on advancing green building and sustainable communities. The mission of USGBC-NJ is to transform NJ’s built environment to become ecologically sustainable, profitable, and healthy. We accomplish our mission through education, advocacy, and collaboration. As New Jersey’s green building advocate and education resource, USGBC-NJ provides over 150 educational programs, events, green building tours, research studies, and advocacy initiatives each year, through its three-branch, state-wide network. Currently, USGBC-NJ is providing grant-funded green building education to NJ’s veterans and unemployed.

For 10 years USGBC-NJ has served as the meeting ground, catalyst, and propeller for sustainability-minded individuals in building-related professions. Through the NJ Chapter, LEED and green building in general, have found fertile ground in New Jersey. The New Jersey Chapter’s 1,100 individual members represent the entire spectrum of New Jersey’s green building community.